ADHD or a “bad personality”? (Kai’s story)

06/07/22 • 23 min

Kai Liu thought she was doing a good job masking her distractibility and overall frazzled-ness. It wasn’t until a friend checked in with her that she realized she wasn’t masking her ADHD symptoms as well as she thought. After some reflection about her trouble with focus, she knew it was time to ask a doctor about ADHD.
Kai grew up thinking she just had a “bad personality.” But this conversation with host Laura Key shows that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Through her ADHD diagnosis, and some self-kindness, she’s turning that thinking around. Hear about the overlooked symptoms of ADHD in adult women, and listen as Laura and Kai, who’s a comedian, play an impromptu ADHD game show!

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
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Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources

Previous Episode

ADHD and sleep problems (from the “In It” podcast)

Bonus episode! Learn about ADHD and sleep from our friends at Understood’s In It podcast. Hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra first hear from a mom whose son has ADHD, autism, and sleep challenges. Then they speak with clinical psychologist Dr. Roberto Olivardia about the connection between ADHD and sleep — including why people with ADHD may have sleep problems.
Get a transcript of this show and check out more “In It” episodes at u.org/init.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources

How ADHD affects sleep — and what you can do to help
Download: Bedtime checklists for kids
Follow Belinda on Instagram or Twitter to see more about her advocacy for neurodivergent people.

Next Episode

ADHD, irritability, and friendship (Jake’s story)

Jake Lambert watched his mother thrive once she was diagnosed with ADHD and getting ADHD treatment. That pushed him to look for answers about his own struggles to pay attention. He wondered why he was so irritable, why he had trouble managing emotions, and why he struggled to keep friends. He figured they were just “bad” traits of his — but in reality, it was ADHD.
Growing up, Jake did well enough in school that no one caught his ADHD symptoms. He’d have to re-read a page three times because he’d get distracted. And he constantly procrastinated on homework assignments. Jake and host Laura Key also talk about how ADHD can make you feel “crackly,” and coping strategies that help them.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].
Related resources